Update: 41 Dead After Mount Marapi Cold Lava Flood

A cold lava flood that struck West Sumatra, specifically the upstream area of Mount Marapi on Saturday (May 11, 2024), has caused at least 41 deaths.

This latest data was confirmed by the Head of Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of the West Sumatra Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Ilham Wahab, on Monday (May 13, 2024), as reported by *Kompas.com*.

"This data is still dynamic. Yesterday afternoon, we had recorded 37 [victims]. This morning, the number has increased again, due to additional victims from last night's incident in Padang. Our provisional data shows that the number of victims has reached 41 people," said Ilham in an interview with *KompasTV*.

In addition, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) also recorded 17 missing persons. Fourteen are missing from Tanah Datar Regency and three others from Agam Regency. Abdul stated that the search and rescue efforts will resume today.

"For the time being, search and rescue efforts have been stopped due to the nighttime conditions (May 12, 2024) in the affected area, which lacks lighting, and due to warnings of increased rainfall-induced tremors in the upstream area," said the Head of Data, Information, and Disaster Communication Center of BNPB, Abdul Muhari, in his official statement to reporters on Monday (May 13, 2024).

The Mount Marapi Observation Post also recorded an increase in rainfall-induced tremors at the Batu Palano Station since Sunday (May 12, 2024) at 8:35 PM WIB.

BNPB urges residents living around the riverbanks originating from Mount Marapi to remain vigilant against the potential risk of subsequent hazards. Residents are advised to conduct self-evacuation to safer locations.

(Also read: Hundreds of Natural Disasters Until Early April 2024, Floods Are the Most Frequent)